Fishing picks up in local waters

April 18, 2013

Those warm spring days are sure enjoyable, so ready or not, here come the fish.

Chautauqua Lake has seen a decent calico bite, especially at the north end of the lake. Lots of the channels where the fish are headed to are on private property so be advised. Low light and pre-dawn appear to be the best times for the larger fish to bite.

Bullheads have been biting locally for about a week now with live minnows and cut bait (shad) taking the bulk of the fish. Most of the fishing has taken place during the day, with a few anglers trying their luck off the City Pier during the evening.

Article Photos

OBSERVER Photo by Gene PauszekPictured from left are Frank Oyach, Nicholas Solares and Mike Bess display some nice bullheads that were caught Monday afternoon in Lake Erie from shore, just east of the Clarion Hotel.

Rick Miller has some great news for perch fishermen: The perch fishing has been great recently off Evangola in 47 feet of water. Lots of perch and good-sized ones, too. Minnows, both live and salted, are the ticket.

Spring turkey season, and the walleye opener, are just a few weeks away.

Calendar:

The Lakeshore Longbeards, our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, will host their next meeting on Tuesday, April 23 at Liberty Vineyards on Route 20 in Sheridan. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. Note that if you are a paid member of the NWTF you can purchase a bag of Round-Up ready-seed corn for $15 each. This corn would normally cost $200 per bag. If any additional corn is still available, you might still be able to join the NWTF and purchase it at this low price.

Legal gun owners know well that they are facing some of the toughest gun legislation in our country's history (and quite possibly illegal legislation at that). Put your money to good use by investing in an organization that will always fight for your rights to keep and bear arms, the friends of the NRA. They will be holding their annual fundraiser banquet at the American Legion Samuel Derby Post located at 4 Meadow Lane in Frewsburg on Saturday, April 27. For tickets and information, call Tom Kelly at 736-4386.

The Jamestown Rifle Club will hold a pistol class April 28. You must be 21 years old and a resident of Chautauqua County. The class begins at 1 p.m. and lasts around four hours. Call Pat Hayes at 484-9301 for information.

There will be a hunter safety training course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club this Thursday and Friday. This is a mandatory two-day course that will run from 5-10 p.m. both evenings. The course is free.

There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club this Saturday. There is a $55 fee charged for this course, which will run from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call Gary at 366-3397.

The Westfield Fish & Game Club, located on Ogden Road, will conduct a hunter safety firearms class which started Monday. The course will resume on Saturday starting at 9 a.m., and run until 4 p.m. Students must be at least 12 years of age and attend both days. For more information, call 326-3218.

The Southtowns Walleye Association will host their monthly meeting at their facility located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Chris Kempf, who will be talking about maintenance and repair of all reels. -This meeting is open to the public.

Gun Shows:

Lander, Pa.: Sportsmen's Show will be April 20-21. Call 814-757-9466 for information.

If you club is hosting a hunter safety training/archery/trapper/pistol course, turkey shoot or any event that pertains to the outdoors, call 366-1772 or 366-3000 ext. 5 after 5 p.m.

Just a reminder that all entries for the Chautauqua County Sports Fishery Advisory Board Essay contest, should be submitted by April 26 to CCSFAB, Office of the County Executive, Gerace Office Building, 3 North Erie St. Mayville, New York, 14757.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Take-A-Kid- Fishing Day is set for June 08, 2013. Sign up sheets will be available at the Club on the weekend.

Saturday June 15 marks the day for the first time the Fish and Wildlife Festival will be held in Dunkirk. This event is a sister event to the one held in Buffalo which has been around since 2001.More information later.

The Cassadaga Lakes Association will host their 20th annual Lew Mead Youth Fishing Tournament on June 29 at the DEC boat launch on Dale Drive in Cassadaga from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. This event is free for all youths ages 16 and younger. Call 595-3950 for information or if you would like to donate a door prize/prizes for this event or volunteer.

Several safe Boating courses are being offered in the area. These classes are NYS approved boater safety classes required for anyone between 10-and 18 years old to operate a boat (motor boat) and everyone age 14 and above to operate a personal watercraft (jet ski). There is NO Pre-registration required for any of these courses. Registration will take place at the course. Parents of attendees under the age of 18 must sign a release form. There is a course on May 4 at the Cassadaga American Legion 228 Maple Ave., Cassadaga. The course starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Bring a bagged lunch.

The course on May 11 will be at the Lawson Center 73 Lakeside Dr. Bemus Point. The course is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch provided.

May 18 the course will be at Southwestern Middle School, 600 Hunt Road, Jamestown. Time is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a lunch.

June 15 the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will host the course at 1 North Mullet St. The course is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch provided. These courses are free to anyone ages 10 to 17. Those attendees age 18 and over will have to pay a $10 fee to New York State prior to receiving the certificate card.